Officials say the first positive influenza A cases were detected early last week. The cases were in a young adult from Aroostook County, a teenager from Penobscot and an adult from Cumberland County. None was vaccinated or required hospitalization.

A long-term care facility in Penobscot County also reported an outbreak of influenza on Oct. 31. Maine's Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory confirmed influenza A in an employee and a resident from the facility on Nov. 2.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu vaccine as the first and best way to protect against influenza.